[Harp-L] tilting the harp

[Tony Eyers <tony@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The approach here depends on the music you play, and how your mouth works.

Very early on I found that I couldn't tongue block, because too much 
dribble ended up in the harmonica. Still the case, although I use tongue 
block octaves a lot. So, like Brendan, I'm a puckerer.

A lot of my music is fast. For example 
http://www.harmonicaacademy.com/categories/20080714

At these speeds, having the harmonica tilted upwards, with much of the 
upper lip over the cover plate wouldn't work so well, in my view. I'm 
happy to be shown wrong however.

I've seen Dave Barrett's explanation, where he proposes an upward tilt. 
I can't imagine too many who wouldn't want to sound like him.

I do tilt the harmonica, about 45 degrees, but horizontally. This means 
that my lips have less distance to travel than they would if the 
harmonica was flat, which helps with the fast tunes. Again, a personal 
preference, based on the music I like to play. I don't necessarily 
suggest that others follow this path.

Tony Eyers
Australia
www.HarmonicaAcademy.com
...everyone plays